London is about to become the first city to host the World Para Athletics Championships and IAAF World Championship in one summer.

England Athletics is keen to get all communities involved in creating a buzz around the events and is hosting a competition specifically for brass bands.

Bands involved

It has been set up by Heidi Bradley, founder of Brass Bands England's 'BandSafe' programme after she was challenged by England Athletics to get bands involved.

Heidi told 4BR: "We wanted to do something fun that is also easy for bands to get involved in and doesn't need a lot of organising on their part.

Some of the ideas we came up with wouldn't get past the local health and safety officer, but what we have come up with is will be really enjoyable."

The 'Brass the Baton Conducting Relay' follows the success of the like-minded event linked to the 2012 Olympics. This year, bands are challenged to host a conducting relay made up of members of the audience during one of their performances over the summer.

Passing the audience baton

Heidi added: "Most bands can get at least one person from the audience to come to conduct a piece, but this competition involves getting as many as possible conducting during a piece! Each member will conduct a few bars before passing the baton on to the next person."

The leading music publisher Pennine Music is supporting the competition with a prize of a £100 music voucher and there will also be an athletics themed trophy awarded to the winner.

The leading music publisher Pennine Music is supporting the competition with a prize of a £100 music voucher and there will also be an athletics themed trophy awarded to the winner4BR

Fitting involvement

Jane Stewart, Head of the Inspiration Program at England Athletics told 4BR: "We are encouraging members of many different communities to get involved in supporting the championships. Brass bands are a cornerstone of our heritage so it feels fitting to get them involved.

We are asking bands to film their relay and send it in to us where it will be judged. Consideration will be given to the number involved in the relay as well as originality, humour and fun. There will bonus points awarded for bands that demonstrate that and include a link to the championships, so get your thinking caps on."

More details

The competition runs until Monday 14th August 2017.

For full competition details and to enter please email Heidi at hbradley@englandathletics.org